Sudan (MNN) — Six months ago, a military coup toppled the transitional government leading Sudan to civilian rule. See our full Sudan coverage here. Last weekend, crowds blocked a major road junction in Khartoum to protest military leadership and observe the 2019 crackdown that killed scores of protestors. Authorities responded forcefully, firing tear gas on the demonstrations.
Persecution uptick in Sudan reflects mounting pressure
Today, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan looks to secure his grip on power by aligning with the Muslim Brotherhood.
When Burhan “talks about forming a civilian government in the next couple of months, for example; or talks about establishing the voting system [for] a new government, none of the (political) parties are ready for that,” says Daniel*, a Gospel worker focused on Sudan.
“The only party that is ready is the Muslim Brotherhood. So, if there is an election today, the winner will be the Muslim Brotherhood. That’s why we are against it at this time; we want to see [elections] postponed for a little bit until all parties in Sudan are ready,” he adds.
“Some of the Muslim Brotherhood leaders are coming back to power again in Sudan, and this is not going to be good for the Church.”
Persecution is already on the rise. Last month, Muslim extremists attacked churches near Khartoum. Officials then sentenced one pastor to a month in jail for “disturbing the peace.”
Recently, a sharia court annulled a Christian marriage, and the couple could face flogging under charges of adultery.
(Graphic courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs USA)
“For the last two and a half years, the Church lived in peace. There were no problems, no attacks. Once this coup started on October 25, things changed a lot,” Daniel says.
The Lord holds all nations in His hands. Pray for His will to be done in Sudan.
“[If] the military and the Muslim Brotherhood came back to power, one of their first retaliations will be against the Christians,” Daniel says.
“Let us pray that the Lord will protect the Christians; the Christian buildings as well, whether they are Bible schools, seminaries or colleges, or just church buildings, and there will not be any retaliation against them.”
*Pseudonym
Header image depicts the emblem of the Muslim Brotherhood. (Wikimedia Commons)